Microsoft (MSFT) / Bill Gates

[millionairemind]

July 23, 2009, 10.29 am (Singapore time)

Windows 7 released to computer makers

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp says Windows 7 is complete.

The software maker sent the final code for its next computer operating system to manufacturers on Wednesday, and said it's still on track for an Oct 22 launch.

Mr Mike Angiulo, a general manager in the Windows group, said in an interview that getting up and running on a Windows computer will be 'a lot smoother' than it was when Windows Vista launched in 2007.

At the time, Microsoft boasted about the number of programs and devices that would work with Vista, but many PC users found their existing software, printers, scanners, cameras and other hardware didn't function after the switch.

Microsoft said one reason Windows 7 should be an easier launch is that at its core, the new version is a lot like Vista. If a company updated a product to work with Vista in the last few years, it should also work with Windows 7.

Windows 7 has also progressed in an orderly way, which means outside companies have had more time to make sure their products will work. Vista was plagued by changes to Microsoft's plans, leaving partner companies scrambling to keep up.

The new operating system will launch into a much tougher climate than Vista did. PC shipments are expected to fall this year for the first time since 2001, as the economic crisis has forced businesses to slash technology spending.

Microsoft built in a way for companies to run older, Windows XP programs in Windows 7, in an attempt to avoid losing those corporate customers that skipped Vista altogether because critical software wasn't compatible.

Companies that have long-term agreements to buy Microsoft software in bulk will be able to download and start installing Windows 7 in a few weeks, Microsoft said.

Then starting Oct 22, Windows 7 will come on new PCs, and will be available for people to buy separately and install on their existing machines. -- AP

[kennynah]

ever since windows95.... i have NEVER had a smooth migration of OS.... i skipped Vista altogether ... but i am afraid if i want to continue windows OS, it will be a matter of time before this hooligan arm twist me into windows 7.... all they need to do is to announce discontinuing support for XP.... just as they did before... not that i need their support, but there will come a time, when Word/Excel and common office data files become incompatible with the higher OS and corresponding MS Office applications...

gangsters...

[blid2def]

For those planning to get a new Windows OS laptop, might be wise to put it off until the manufacturers are loading Windows 7 on their products (should be later part of the year). And even then, as usual, might be wise to buy only after Microsoft has rolled out SP1 and the vendors have tested and rolled them into your machines.

[b0rderc0llie]

Haha, i love gangsters Just pay MSFT the money and upgrade to windows 7 haha

[kennynah]

no i wont.... unfortunately for msft...

[b0rderc0llie]

I also wont change my Operating System, unless I am buying a new computer which comes with the new OS.

[kennynah]

even if i buy a new computer...i will ask the vendor to strip it off MSFT OS...i refuse to pay for their OS.... paid once is enough...

[b0rderc0llie]

Haha, so wat OS are you using? I am using Windows Vista Home Premium. So far so good

[kennynah]

xp pro...its ok too....

[Aspellian]

Could be a catalyst for indexes to take a breather - by virtue of microsoft's market size.

23 July 09
Shares of technology bellwethers Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. were hammered Thursday evening after the world's largest software maker issued quarterly results that fell short of Wall Street's estimate, and the online retailer posted disappointing figures.

The Nasdaq-100 After Hours Indicator dropped 1.4% to 1,580.

Microsoft shares (MSFT) slid 7.5% to $23.65 and topped Nasdaq's list of volume leaders. The company's fiscal fourth-quarter net income fell to $3.05 billion, or 34 cents a share, from $4.3 billion, or 46 cents a share, in the same period a year earlier.

Revenue fell 17% to $13.1 billion, reflecting a sharp slowdown in software sales as demand for new personal computers software amid the economic downturn. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had pegged earnings at 36 cents a share on $14.37 billion in revenue.

The quarterly results were "disappointing," said McAdams Wright Ragen analyst Sid Parakh, who cited "revenue gaps in the business division, and some in server and tools." See more on Microsoft's results.

Shares of rival software maker Oracle Corp. fell 1.9% to $21.78 while Microsoft's Internet search firm competitor Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) picked up 0.6% to $17.45.

Amazon (AMZN) shares tumbled 6.8% to $87.53. Although the company's second-quarter sales rose 14% to $4.65 billion, earnings came in at $142 million, or 32 cents a share. Analysts were expecting earnings of 32 cents a share on revenue of $4.69 billion. See full story.

Amazon also forecast third-quarter sales of $4.75 billion to $5.25 billion, compared with the current estimate of $4.92 billion. Amazon shares had finished the day session up nearly 6%, aided by the company's announcement late Wednesday that it plans to purchase online shoe retailer Zappos.com Inc. See more on Zappos deal.